Welcome to our First Year Residents

Read more about these new residents below

Get To Know Our First Year Residents

My name is Madison Bowser. I was born in Pittsburgh, right here at West Penn Hospital, and grew up in the South Hills suburbs of the city. I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in medicine, and as a child I would leave every doctor’s appointment excitedly telling my parents, “That’s what I want to do!” no matter the specialty. Ironically, I never had the opportunity to meet a podiatrist or foot and ankle surgeon growing up; otherwise, I may have discovered this path much sooner.

After high school, I attended Washington & Jefferson College, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in neuroscience. During my senior year, my pre-health advisor informed me of an opportunity to work as a medical assistant in a podiatry office in Washington, Pennsylvania. I accepted the position, spent the next two years working as a podiatric medical assistant, and quickly realized I had found a field that combined everything I loved about medicine. That experience ultimately inspired me to pursue podiatric medicine and dedicate my career to foot and ankle care.

I went on to complete my medical education at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. Throughout my four years there, I was fortunate to receive numerous scholarships, was elected vice president of the Pi Delta National Honor Society, served as president of the American Association for Women Podiatrists, and held several teaching assistant and tutoring positions to mentor students in the classes below me. I also worked part-time as a shoe fitter and orthotist alongside an experienced pedorthist. I am proud to have graduated third in my class.

While I am incredibly grateful for these accomplishments, I certainly did not achieve them alone. I owe so much to my loving parents, as well as my supportive and devoted husband, Garrett. Garrett and I have been together since 2018 and were recently married in April 2026. Four of those years were spent long-distance while I attended podiatry school, which at times felt just as challenging as the medical training itself. Garrett is also from the Pittsburgh area, and we are both thrilled to finally be together under the same roof again as I begin residency at West Penn.

Starting this next chapter at the same hospital where I was born feels incredibly full-circle. Having the opportunity to complete my foot and ankle surgical residency at West Penn has been a dream of mine since I first discovered podiatry, and I feel truly honored and fortunate to become part of the West Penn family.

My name is Allen Chang. I was born in Columbus, Ohio, before moving to Hsinchu, Taiwan, at the age of seven. I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taipei in 2022. Due to my specific interest in the foot and ankle, I discovered the field of podiatry. After flying to San Francisco to shadow Dr. Shih in 2021, I decided to pursue this profession, as I saw immense potential in the field.

I went on to complete my medical education at the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine in Independence, Ohio. During my time there, I consistently ranked at the top of my class, earning several scholarships and a spot in the Pi Delta National Honor Society. However, these accolades were not as rewarding as the time I spent tutoring children over the years. I learned to navigate different learning cultures and constantly updated my teaching methods to help my students succeed. My proudest moments were when students would tell me how well they were doing—both in school and in life!

Over the past year, I had the honor of rotating through many prestigious institutes, where I observed various surgeons closely. As a student who aspires to be an excellent foot and ankle surgeon and contribute to the evolution of this profession, I sought a hospital with strong mentorship, a supportive staff, and, above all, a great work ethic and culture. West Penn met all these criteria, and I am honored to be part of the family.

The next three years will be the most exciting chapter of my life as I fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a surgeon and start my own family here in Pittsburgh!

My name is Alexandra Fratila, and I was born and raised in Queens, New York. From a young age, I knew I wanted to become a physician – a goal that aligned well with the aspirations my immigrant parents had for me. I earned my undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Binghamton University, where my passion for medicine continued to grow.

During my final year of college, I shadowed physicians across a variety of specialties to explore potential career paths. It was while shadowing my mother’s foot and ankle surgeon that I discovered podiatric medicine. Witnessing the profound impact that a relatively straightforward procedure had on my mother’s quality of life was inspiring. After just two days in the office and operating room, I knew I had found the specialty I wanted to pursue.

I went on to earn my medical degree from Barry University in Miami, Florida. During medical school, I served as a teaching assistant for several courses, chaired my class’s Academic Committee, and was inducted into the Pi Delta National Honor Society. Throughout my training, I embraced a philosophy of continually challenging myself, seeking out new opportunities, and stepping beyond my comfort zone. I believe that growth comes from pushing one’s limits and striving to reach one’s full potential. This mindset ultimately led me to graduate as valedictorian of my class.

I first learned about West Penn at a residency fair during my third year of medical school. Its longstanding reputation for academic excellence and exceptional surgical training immediately caught my attention. After completing a month-long externship here, I knew it was the right fit for me.

I am deeply honored and grateful to be part of the West Penn family. I look forward to caring for my patients with the same dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence that have guided me throughout my medical education and training.

My name is Andre Moezzi. I was born in Jacksonville, Florida and raised across the Southwest, ultimately settling in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I completed my undergraduate studies in biology at the University of New Mexico. During my time at UNM, I was selected for the NIH-funded Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) program, conducting research on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) under an IMSD grant in the laboratory of Dr. Werner Washburne. That experience grounded me in rigorous scientific inquiry, taught me how to approach complex clinical and biological problems methodically, and gave me an early appreciation for the role research plays in advancing patient care.

Following my bachelor’s degree, I pursued osteopathic medical education before redirecting toward podiatric medicine; a decision that aligned far more closely with my long term clinical and surgical goals. What continues to pull me toward foot and ankle care is its position at the intersection of surgery, chronic disease management, and meaningful patient impact.

I am proud to be joining West Penn Hospital within the Allegheny Health Network as an incoming first year podiatric surgery resident. I look forward to developing my clinical and surgical skill set under the program’s attendings, building a strong operative foundation, and expanding my exposure to the full scope of foot and ankle pathology throughout my training.

Upon completion of residency, I plan to pursue fellowship training focused on diabetic limb salvage and lower extremity reconstruction. My long-term goal is to return to the Southwest and establish a dedicated limb salvage and wound care center built around an integrated, multidisciplinary model; serving a patient population with significant and often unmet need for specialized lower extremity care. Every stage of my training is oriented towards that mission.